A British woman in Caniles had five of her dogs killed and a horse injured; it is thought that the culprits could be disgruntled hunters.

Illona Janet owns around 170 hectares of land, 90 hectares of which are within the Parque Natural de Baza. Until some years ago she gave permission to a group of hunters to hunt on her land but then she decided that she wanted to farm it so the permission was withdrawn – that’s when the problems started.

It is not proven that attack has anything do with that decision nor that the culprits who shot five of her dogs and beat her horse causing the possible loss of one of its eyes.

However, her partner, Isidora Perales, said, “We think that it is a revenge attack involving the people who used to hunt here.”

“The five dogs were in their cages and the horse was in the stable at the time of the attack,” adding, “My partner arrived shortly after the attack.”

The fact is that neither of them live on the property, but in a house in the village and travel to the farm daily, to feed and clean out the animals.

Seprona and the Guardia Civil have been investigating but can find no trace of vehicle tracks, for example, nor spent cartridges/bullet casings. They have, however, been able to retrieve a .22 round from the head of one of the dogs – they believe that it was fired from a handgun.

Illona arrived in Caniles in 2004 – one of the first Brits to move there – and has used her land to take in strays and give them a home.

The couple plan to build a wooden house on the farm and live there and only want to live there in peace… and for the culprits to be brought to justice.

(News: Caniles, Altiplano, Granada, Andalucia)